A new research study has predicted that a number of North West towns could be underwater by 2050 as a result of rising sea levels.
As the global crisis of climate change continues to pose a threat to our future, with a report by NASA released at the start of the year revealing that 2020 was the joint warmest year on record, Climate Central – non-profit news organisation focused on climate science – has taken a look at the severity of the threat of climate change locally, reports LancsLive.
Although the damaging of climate change may not be directly felt where you live at this moment in time, the new research shows that rising temperatures have resulted in increasing sea levels and more severe weather conditions in the region, with the world’s ice sheets melting fast.
Experts say causes of global warming by humans include burning fossil fuels – coal, gas and oil – factory farming, increasing livestock production, and deforestation.
It’s also said that once gradual changes become noticeable, it will likely be too late to stop them.
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As a result of this, Climate Central’s research predicts that areas of Blackpool, Lytham, Fleetwood and Morecambe could all be underwater in less than 30 years, with Lancaster, Thornton-Cleveleys, Heysham, Preston, South Ribble, West Lancashire and Southport also being affected.
Maps have been released to show how rising sea levels will affect local areas, with areas shaded in red represent places that are lower than the local sea-level or coastal flood projection, according to the selected data.
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It should be noted that these images are based on predictions if we make no cuts to emissions.
Research predicts that areas of Blackpool could be underwater in less than 30 years / Credit: Climate Central
The Lancashire coastal town and popular seaside resort of Blackpool is one of the most prominent locations on the list, with the above map showing the prediction that most of the area south of Central Pier – including the Pleasure Beach and Blackpool Airport – could be lost by 2050.
According to the research, inland areas including Common Edge, South Shore, Little Marton, Marton Fold and Squires Gate would also be impacted, along with parts of Blackpool & Fylde Industrial Estate, Blackpool Zoo and Marton Mere Local Nature Reserve – however, northern parts of Blackpool including Queenstown, Layton, Grange Park, Warkbrek and North Shore would avoid the potential devastation.
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Many Lancashire tourist hot spots could be flooded due to rising sea levels / Credit: Climate Central
In Fleetwood, only areas near Jameson Road Landfill Site and pockets of land in Preesall, Stalmine and Staynall would stay above water, and it’s predicted to be a similar situation in nearby Cleveleys, with places including Anchorsholme Park affected.
The research shows that the popular coastal town of Morecambe would bear the brunt of the rising sea levels, with Climate Central predicting that its tourist hot spots would be flooded due to rising sea levels.
Coastal areas of Heysham would also be affected, but parts of the town’s centre, the Nuclear Power Station, and Nature Reserve would be safe.
In the Lancashire county city of Lancaster, areas on the banks of the River Lune would be submerged – while Lancaster city centre, Lancaster Castle, Fairfield Nature Reserve, Williamson Park and other more inland areas would avoid the water.
Rising sea levels could see the picturesque and highly-sought-after town of Lytham mostly submerged, along with the nearby Warton Bank and areas of Clifton.
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The majority of Southport would also be submerged, according to predictions / Credit: Climate Central
In major city Preston, land close to the River Ribble – including parts of Ashton-on-Ribble and The Docklands – would be affected, and Penwortham, Walmer Bridge, Much Hoole, Bretherton and Hesketh Bank would also see land disappear due to the rising sea levels.
All of Banks and the majority of Southport would also be submerged too, according to Climate Central’s predictions.
Featured Image – Climate Central
UK News
A rare ‘Strawberry Moon’ will appear in the sky for the final time tonight – here’s when to catch it
In the latest astronomical phenomenon to hit Britain and beyond in recent times, a rare ‘Strawberry Moon’ is set to appear once again in UK skies tonight, and you don’t want to miss it.
Put it this way: if you didn’t catch it last night, you won’t get another chance for nearly two decades.
The event only happens approximately every 18.6 years and will be the lowest it’s appeared above our part of the world that its been since 2006.
But for those who’ve never even heard of this, you might be wondering what exactly a Strawberry Moon is. We’re no experts, but this should just about fill you in.
Strawberry Moon 2025 – explained
Look up tonight for something sweet!
The full Strawberry Moon, named by the Algonquin tribes for the time of year that berries ripen, will take to the night skies on June 10-11. pic.twitter.com/GKr41bGUUV
Put in simplest terms, a Strawberry Moon occurs when the Moon reaches the extremes of its northernmost and southernmost rising and setting points on the horizon, creating a striking standstill impression to the human eye.
The name itself derives from native American culture and, in the case of June’s full Moon, it is dubbed as such not only because of its reddish hue but because it aligns with the start of summer and the beginning of strawberry harvest season.
Colliding with the summer solstice – with said standstill sometimes referred to as a ‘lunicstice’ – the moon will give more of an orange glow rather than pink or red like actual strawberries, but it’s nevertheless a stunning sight. It was already clocked across various parts of the globe since Monday:
— Veronica in the Fens 🧚🏼♀️ My Heart in Nature (@VeronicaJoPo) June 10, 2025
Why so low, moon-face?
As for why it’s going to loom so low over our skies this evening, UK archaeologist and historian Jennifer Wexler explained to BBC’s Sky At Night Magazine: “Over several years, the limits of moonrise and moonset themselves gradually change, until they reach the point where the northernmost and southernmost moonrise and moonset positions are at their maximum distance apart on the horizon…
“Once a major standstill is reached, the distance between northernmost and southernmost moonrise and moonset can be exceptionally far apart, and it stays that way for around two years.”
With all that in mind, this particular full Moon (10-11 June, 2025) will be the lowest full Moon in the sky for nearly two whole decades and won’t occur again until 2043, hence why so many have taken an interest in trying to catch it.
Speaking of…
When and where is best to see the Strawberry Moon in the UK?
Now, we won’t lie to you, Greater Manchester isn’t necessarily the best-placed area to see the upcoming Strawberry Moon in its full glory this Wednesday; the weather forecast has it that the skies are clearest right up at the top of England, as well as south-west Scotland.
However, provided there isn’t too much cloud coverage, it should still be visible across most regions, including the North West.
The moon is expected to rise around 9:30pm tonight, with the best window to see it appearing within the next hour or so following this period. It may not be as bright and bold as it appeared in some parts of the country on Tuesday, but it’ll still be something to behold.
In terms of what else meteorologists have said about the rest of this week, the weather is looking a bit all over the place, we’re afraid.
The beloved Billy Boston, the definition of a Wigan Warriors legend, has been given the first knighthood in rugby league history.
A Welsh hero as well, the former professional was a pioneering force for black players in the UK during the mid-20th century, representing both Wigan and Great Britain, with over 500 competitive appearances, primarily as a winger.
Having scored an unprecedented total of 478 tries in 487 games for the Warriors (571 in his entire career), he remains not just one of their greatest icons but one of the most influential rugby league players of all time.
With that in mind, while it may have been long overdue, Boston was made a knight prior to the King’s birthday and before the honours list was even officially announced.
🎖️🏉 Today at Buckingham Palace, Sir Billy Boston became the first sportsman to receive a knighthood for services to Rugby League.
The King presented Sir Billy – who is considered one of the best Rugby League players of all time, scoring a British record of 571 tries and 488… pic.twitter.com/QD8jTR7jPS
Now 90 years old, an exception was made for the Cardiff-born ex-pro due to growing concerns over his health; moreover, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer dubbed it a “historic wrong that a sport which is the backbone of so many communities has waited so long to receive this honour.”
Since it’s taken a total of 130 years for someone from the discipline, we tend to agree.
Boston was sadly diagnosed with vascular dementia back in 2016 at the age of 82 – a disease that is being increasingly studied across rugby, given the contact sport’s strong connection to conditions like CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy).
Head coach and fellow record-breaker, Matt Peet, wrote in a statement via the club: “Not just for Billy or Wigan, but for rugby league to get its first knighthood is great news. He’s an iconic figure and name in our Club, and he’s certainly part of the team at Wigan.
“He has a huge presence, and he’s just a really warm character. I’d just describe him as a gentleman, very humble, always up for a laugh, and he’s been very supportive since we’ve been in position.”
130 years of discrimination is over as Billy Boston becomes the first rugby league player to be knighted.
A Black Welshman who became a legend in Wigan, Billy is a pioneer as well as one of the greatest players of all time.
— Mike Meehall Wood (@MikeMeehallWood) June 9, 2025
Echoing his sentiment, Wigan Warriors‘ chairman, Chris Brookes, said, “I am absolutely delighted and so happy that Billy – and rugby league – has finally received the ultimate recognition his stellar career deserves”, with club CEO Kris Radlinski going on to to add: “He’s a cultural icon in rugby league.”
Unsurprisingly, WRL (the nation’s official governing body) joined the flood of individuals and organisations in celebrating the groundbreaking sporting great, writing: “The boy from Tiger Bay who became a Knight. A very proud day for Billy, his family and Wales Rugby League.”
Congratulations to a local legend who paved the way for generations of future rugby stars.
It’s been a special few days for the Greater Manchester side as their women’s team also made some history of their own this past weekend.